Oxynaspis.[33] Gen. Nov. [Pl. III.]

Valvæ 5, approximatæ: scutorum umbones in medio marginis occludentis positi: carina rectangulè flexa, sursùm inter terga extensa, termino basali simpliciter concavo.

Valves 5, approximate; scuta with their umbones in the middle of the occludent margin; carina rectangularly bent, extending up between the terga, with the basal end simply concave.

[33] From οξυνω, to sharpen, and ασπις, a shield or scutum.

Mandibles with four teeth; maxillæ notched, with the lower part of edge nearly straight, prominent; anterior ramus of the second cirrus thicker than the posterior ramus; caudal appendages, uniarticulate, spinose.

Attached to horny corallines.

I have most unwillingly instituted this genus; but it will be seen by the following description, that the one known species could not have been introduced into Lepas or Pæcilasma, without destroying these genera, although it has a close general resemblance with both. As far as the valves are concerned, it is more nearly related to Lepas than to Pæcilasma; but taking the entire animal, its relation is much closer to the latter genus than to Lepas: it differs from both these genera in the manner of growth of the scuta, which is both upwards and downwards, the primordial valve being situated in nearly the middle of the occludent margin. In this respect, and in the shape of the carina and terga, there is an almost absolute identity with Scalpellum; I may, however, remark that in Scalpellum, the scuta first grow downwards, and afterwards in most of the species upwards, whereas here from the beginning, the growth is both upwards and downwards. In the mouth and cirri, there is rather more resemblance to Scalpellum than to Pæcilasma and Lepas: in habits, also, this genus agrees with Scalpellum, and if it had possessed a lower whorl of valves, it would have quite naturally entered that genus. It is unfortunate, that so insignificant and poorly characterised a form should require a generic appellation. In natural position, it appears to lead from Scalpellum through Pæcilasma to Lepas.

1. Oxynaspis celata. [Pl. III], [fig. 1.]

Madeira; attached in numbers to an Antipathes; Rev. R. T. Lowe. Mus., Hancock.

General Appearance.—The capitulum is rather thin, and broad in proportion to its length; it seems always entirely covered by the horny muricated bark of the Antipathes, and hence externally is coloured rich brown and covered with little horny spines. The membrane over the valves is very thin, and is with difficulty separated from the Antipathes; it has, I believe, no spines of its own. The corium lining the peduncle is a fine purple. All the individuals are attached to the coralline, with their capitulums upwards in the direction of the branches, and in this respect [fig. 1.] is erroneous.